Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Denies Petition for Lead Amminition Ban from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation 8-31-2010

Yesterday, the USEPA denied the petition of some environmental organizations
to regulate lead in ammunition under the Toxics Substances Control Act. They
did accept that portion of the petition regarding the regulation of lead
sinkers. This means that EPA will study the issue and make a decision on
whether there is sufficient evidence to justify regulations on or a ban on
lead sinkers for fishing. Attached is the letter denying the petition. Here
is the press release from the USEPA:EPA Denies Petition Calling for Lead Ammunition Ban

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today denied a
petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead
hunting ammunition. EPA sent a letter to the petitioners explaining the
rejection - that letter can be found here:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/sect21.html

Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention, issued the following statement on the agency’s
decision:

“EPA today denied a petition submitted by several outside groups for the
agency to implement a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting
ammunition. EPA reached this decision because the agency does not have the
legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) - nor is the agency seeking such authority.

“This petition, which was submitted to EPA at the beginning of this month,
is one of hundreds of petitions submitted to EPA by outside groups each
year. This petition was filed under TSCA, which requires the agency to
review and respond within 90 days.

“EPA is taking action on many fronts to address major sources of lead in our
society, such as eliminating childhood exposures to lead; however, EPA was
not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in
hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife.

“As there are no similar jurisdictional issues relating to the agency’s
authority over fishing sinkers, EPA - as required by law - will continue
formally reviewing a second part the petition related to lead fishing
sinkers.

“Those wishing to comment specifically on the fishing tackle issue can do so
by visiting

http://www.regulations.gov

. EPA will consider comments that are
submitted by September 15.”